Do I need to put strapping on my ceiling?

Junior Member

I have a sunroom in my house ripped down to the studs, I was told by my electrician that he wanted strapping on the ceiling so he could center the recessed lights but I wanted to know if this is necessary?

Is it fine to install drywall directly onto the ceiling joists? Is it fine just to put a piece of wood to center the lights?

Thoughts? Thanks

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Contractor retired

Hopefully you have a plan for venting the ceiling and the houes roof. If you are planning on pot lights, your guy will want proper fixtures for that and you rafters may not be deep enough for insulation above them. Yes you can just block between for a regular box.

Well-Known MemberSponsor

Work that you do saves him money and helps if he underbid the job to get the work.

I had a cabinet installer pretend he didn't know what "counterbore" meant so he could send me off to Home Depot to find cabinet knobs compatible with the door thickness of the cabinets he was installing.
Then he objected that it would be tricky to drill the hole just the right depth and I said "Yes. Due diligence is required."

Drawer of Homes

Hopefully you have a plan for venting the ceiling and the houes roof. If you are planning on pot lights, your guy will want proper fixtures for that and you rafters may not be deep enough for insulation above them. Yes you can just block between for a regular box.

Obnoxious Knowitalll

With spray foam you also get a vapor barrier, which you need. And by filling entire rafter bay, including strapping or furring, you don't have to worry about venting. Foam doesn't make it more "final" than any other option. Its your best bet in this situation.

Foam walls too, use minimally expanding around windows and doors. Mite wanta add horizontal blocking a few inches below windows. Mask off windows and gaps around windows, spray main foam, which can expand enough to bend window frames, then fill gaps and spaces with minimal foam.

What is panel below window? If frame dimensions are important keep high expansion away from sides there too.

Think about adding a few more outlets while electrician is there. Easier to do now than later. They're never in right place. You can never have too many outlets as long as you don't overload circuits.
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Any insulation may interfere with light cans. And light cans can interfere with vapor barriers. Be sure to install insulated, sealed cans that can be in contact with insulation. Install outer can, and mask off opening B4 spray.

Junior Member

The box under the window is where the previous owner has a AC unit installed. I sealed the hole and fixed the siding on the out side.

Spray foam is ending up being about $5 a square foot, i have about 300 square feet so it will cost about $1500 to insulate the ceiling. If I use R23 Roxul and 1" foam board I can get roughly the same R Value for $500. Would the foam board count a a vapor barrier or should I cover the foam board with vapor barrier? Thanks